Dr. Mark Milliron, President & CEO of National University, discusses the university’s prominence in serving tens of thousands of diverse students on an annual basis. Milliron is joined by renowned mental health practitioner and educator, Dr. Alvin McLean, the Dean of National University’s John F. Kennedy School of Psychology and Social Sciences.  McLean talks about the more than 320,000 hours of clinical outreach in psychology and mental health his school provides each year in 43 states across the country.  Milliron is bullish on NU’s trifecta: Whole Human Education, Next-Generation Education and Value-Reach Education.

Liz Ramirez, the CEO of the Chicano Federation, chats about the programs and services of the Federation that reaches more than 50,000 individuals and families each year.  Ramirez shouts out the organization’s 55th Unity Luncheon, set for Friday, May 3, at the Hilton Bayfront.

Marcela Mercado, General Manager of Fern Street Circus, and Catalina Paz, Show Creator and Director, discuss Fern Street’s Neighborhood Tour in City Heights, and its recent move into its first-ever dedicated indoor space at the former Central Elementary School building. Mercado and Paz talk about Fern Street’s goal of bringing together people of all ages, cultures and experiences to share the joy of circus.

Mary Ann Pascal, a longtime resource parent who has fostered more than 400 children, discusses the critical role of the resource parent in reuniting children with their parents.  Diana Macis, Protective Services Program Manager for the County of San Diego “Child and Family Well-Being” Department, chats about the recruitment of resource parents and the supports the County provides the resource parent.

Jodi Cilley, Founder and President of the Film Consortium San Diego, shouts out the annual G.I. Film Festival, that will be held May 6-11 at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park.  Devin Scott, a director of one of the festival’s featured films — Long Live Xander the Great — talks about his film and the importance of the festival.

Casey Castillo, CEO of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, chats about the organization’s mission to provide nutritious food to people in need, as well its valued Diaper Bank Program that provided more than 9 million diapers last year to families of infants and toddlers. Castillo is joined by Amy Jacobs, the Co-Chair of the Food Bank’s annual gala, slated for Saturday, April 27 at the organization’s 90,000-square-foot facility.  Castillo discusses the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.

JJessica Gercke, Public Relations Director for the Helen Woodward Animal Center, talks about the Center’s 50+ years of changing the world of animal care.  Gercke is joined by Barry Siegel, the Center’s Corporate Sponsorship Officer, to chat about it’s Pets Without Walls Program, and the unprecedented drop in animal adoptions around the country.  Animal Center spokespuppy, Hogan, an Australian Cattle Dog, joins the conversation.

Janessa Wheeler, Annual Giving and Stewardship Specialist for Forever Balboa Park, is joined by her colleague, Phillip Sammuli, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, to talk about its never-ending work to serve as the lead private partner to work on behalf of all 1,200 acres of Balboa.  Wheeler and Sammuli discuss the upcoming sPARK Awards, slated for May 9 at the San Diego Air and Space Museum; the new strategic plan; and its new Special Use Permit.

Micah Ducharme, a 12-year old student, discusses the publication of his first book, Adventures of Jerry the Pug: The Quest for the Secret Biscuit, An Egyptian Adventure. Micah is joined by his father, Joshua, who advised Micah on his literary journey.